Politics & Government

Russia in decline

One of many houses that have fallen into disrepair near the village of Dalekushi, Russia, July 21, 2009. Russia as a whole lost 12.3 million people from 1992 to 2008. (Tom Lasseter/MCT)
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An agricultural warehouse falling apart at an abandoned site near Pryamukhino, Russia, July 22, 2009. Russia as a whole lost 12.3 million people from 1992 to 2008. (Tom Lasseter/MCT)
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A Russian Orthodox cross marks the spot, July 21, 2009 where Andrei Nikolayev, a priest, and his family burned to death in December 2006 in Dalekushi, Russia. (Tom Lasseter/MCT)
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Nina Zinoveva is pictured, July 21, 2009, in front of her home close to where Andrei Nikolayev, a priest, died with his family when his house burned down in Dalekushi, Russia. (Tom Lasseter/MCT)
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Nina Zinoveva is pictured, July 21, 2009, in front of her home close to where Andrei Nikolayev, a priest, died with his family when his house burned down in Dalekushi, Russia. (Tom Lasseter/MCT)
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Alexander Peshekhonov, a priest, stands near his church down the road from Kuvshinovo, Russia, July 22, 2009. "f you read the newspapers and listen to our leaders' propaganda, you get the feeling that everything is OK," Peshekhonov said. "But I don't believe that." (Tom Lasseter/MCT)
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